luv4cruises Posted September 21, 2015 #1 Share Posted September 21, 2015 We were so disappointed to discover that our favorite Southern Caribbean snorkeling port had been dropped from our 2016and 2017 Eclipse cruises. The Eclipse Southern Caribbean itinerary has been our favorite. We have absolutely no interest in an overnight in Curaçao. Since our airfare has been purchased we can't do anything about 2016, but we are probably going to switch to a Princess or HAL in 2017 in order to snorkel in Bonaire! So Celebrity please Bring Back a Bonaire! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jelayne Posted September 21, 2015 #2 Share Posted September 21, 2015 We have been to Bonnaire twice. That was enough for us. DH snorkels, I don't. Not much else in Bonnaire so for us a overnight in Curaco would be a nice change. So like any itinerary change some are unhappy others are happy. Earlier this year the itinerary for our 2016 TA was changed, not a change that we liked but others liked the change. Guess you can't please everyone. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare POA1 Posted September 21, 2015 #3 Share Posted September 21, 2015 That's too bad. In addition to awesome snorkeling, Bonaire has some beautiful beaches, a nice wildlife park, and some great historical sites. I can see why some people who like more built up and commercial ports might not like it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cruisingsince94 Posted September 21, 2015 #4 Share Posted September 21, 2015 Take a look at Navigator of the Seas in April 2017. We are booked on it for the 14th, a 9 night with Bonaire as one of its port calls. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wallie5446 Posted September 21, 2015 #5 Share Posted September 21, 2015 7 days on HAL or Princess to get 6 hours at one port over a week on a Celebrity ship, really? No way. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
eandj Posted September 21, 2015 #6 Share Posted September 21, 2015 Take a land vacation. That's what we do when we find a favorite. A week at a " former port" is a nice change up for us. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ellbon Posted September 21, 2015 #7 Share Posted September 21, 2015 Azamara which is also owned by RCI is offering this port Dec 1st 2016. it is 18 days and all 3 ABC islands Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Antonintassie Posted September 21, 2015 #8 Share Posted September 21, 2015 Our family agree Bonaire was fantastic ,we cancelled a return to the Caribbean because Celebrity changed the cruise stops and included overnights . Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JFO23 Posted September 21, 2015 #9 Share Posted September 21, 2015 I believe the Feb.19-Mar.5, 2017 Eclipse cruise has Bonaire scheduled. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare hcat Posted September 21, 2015 #10 Share Posted September 21, 2015 OP is stuck because of air... But the Infinity still has Bonaire..Oct 27, 2016...keeping fingers crossed it is not dropped... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jagoffee Posted September 21, 2015 #11 Share Posted September 21, 2015 I believe the Feb.19-Mar.5, 2017 Eclipse cruise has Bonaire scheduled. Also the January 22, 2017 cruise plus it also has an overnight. Best of both. Of course it is difficult to be confident that it will not change. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Aquahound Posted September 21, 2015 #12 Share Posted September 21, 2015 That's too bad. In addition to awesome snorkeling, Bonaire has some beautiful beaches, a nice wildlife park, and some great historical sites. I can see why some people who like more built up and commercial ports might not like it. I totally agree with this, and this is exactly why Bonaire is one of my favorite islands in the Caribbean. I'll be in Bonaire next month and I would be really upset if it was dropped. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
texast518 Posted September 21, 2015 #13 Share Posted September 21, 2015 Will be there Jan 22,2016 on Carnival. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
portcbob Posted September 21, 2015 #14 Share Posted September 21, 2015 Yes, Bonaire dropped is not good. We were going to do the Eclipse and when they dropped Bonaire off the cruise we are looking elsewhere. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare POA1 Posted September 21, 2015 #15 Share Posted September 21, 2015 7 days on HAL or Princess to get 6 hours at one port over a week on a Celebrity ship, really? No way. I would expect "Ship beats Port" on Royal Caribbean, but I guess we have different expectations. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
karena1 Posted September 21, 2015 #16 Share Posted September 21, 2015 We were so disappointed to discover that our favorite Southern Caribbean snorkeling port had been dropped from our 2016and 2017 Eclipse cruises.The Eclipse Southern Caribbean itinerary has been our favorite. We have absolutely no interest in an overnight in Curaçao. Since our airfare has been purchased we can't do anything about 2016, but we are probably going to switch to a Princess or HAL in 2017 in order to snorkel in Bonaire! So Celebrity please Bring Back a Bonaire! We like to snorkel and I will agree for divers and snorkeling I am sure Bonaire has some good stuff. But by FAR our least favorite island we have ever been to in the Caribbean. The beaches are nothing but rocks and absolutely terrible. Island is just a flat nothing island. I would avoid going back there!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare POA1 Posted September 21, 2015 #17 Share Posted September 21, 2015 We like to snorkel and I will agree for divers and snorkeling I am sure Bonaire has some good stuff. But by FAR our least favorite island we have ever been to in the Caribbean. The beaches are nothing but rocks and absolutely terrible. Island is just a flat nothing island. I would avoid going back there!! What are YOUR favorite islands on this cruise? Obviously not Bonaire. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
OCruisers Posted September 21, 2015 #18 Share Posted September 21, 2015 We love Bonaire! Is Celebrity totally dropping it from ALL itineraries? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wallie5446 Posted September 21, 2015 #19 Share Posted September 21, 2015 (edited) I was responding to the OP's comment, " but we are probably going to switch to a Princess or HAL in 2017 in order to snorkel in Bonaire!"[/color]"7 days on HAL or Princess to get 6 hours at one port over a week on a Celebrity ship, really? No way." I would expect "Ship beats Port" on Royal Caribbean, but I guess we have different expectations. Diamond on RCCL, Elite on Celebrity, there is no RCCL ship that beats sailing on a Celebrity S-Class for the wifester and I. On RCCL, Port beats ship all day long. After sailing 7 diff lines over the last 25+ years, I guess we do have different expectations. EW Edited September 21, 2015 by wallie5446 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
karena1 Posted September 21, 2015 #20 Share Posted September 21, 2015 What are YOUR favorite islands on this cruise? Obviously not Bonaire. We love STT, SMX, St Lucia. Antigua, Barbados, Grenada, Cozumel, Caymans, CocoCay, Labadee, Roatan, and others. Least favorites are Bonaire, not crazy about Aruba, Jamaica, Nassau, St Croix or St Kitts, but will pretty much go if the rest is what we want. Bonaire would be the bottom of the list of islands we would want to go back to. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare POA1 Posted September 21, 2015 #21 Share Posted September 21, 2015 I was responding to the OP's comment, " but we are probably going to switch to a Princess or HAL in 2017 in order to snorkel in Bonaire!"[/color]"7 days on HAL or Princess to get 6 hours at one port over a week on a Celebrity ship, really? No way." Diamond on RCCL, Elite on Celebrity, there is no RCCL ship that beats sailing on a Celebrity S-Class for the wifester and I. On RCCL, Port beats ship all day long. After sailing 7 diff lines over the last 25+ years, I guess we do have different expectations. EW I'm not sure what I said to anger you, but all this red text stuff - hating on the Antilles seems a bit much. :) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fouremco Posted September 21, 2015 #22 Share Posted September 21, 2015 Our first visit to Bonaire was a two-week dive holiday during which we also explored the entire island. We've returned several times since and have often picked cruises based on the inclusion of stops there. Definitely one of our favourite islands. If you don't enjoy the water, renting a vehicle and doing an around-the-island tour would be my recommendation. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
luv4cruises Posted September 22, 2015 Author #23 Share Posted September 22, 2015 7 days on HAL or Princess to get 6 hours at one port over a week on a Celebrity ship, really? No way. Don't be so hard on Princess and HAL! Every cruise line I have been on has had features that are better than on another cruise line or ship. The demigraphic is very similar on all three lines. Although people like to joke about the "0lder age" of the HAL cruiser. We have not found that to be the case on the typical 7, 10, or 14 day cruises we have taken. FYI the current issue of Travel + Leisure magazine ranks Princess #2 and Celebrity #3 in the Mega Ship category, HAL has no mega ships. in the large ship category Princess is 6, HAL 7 and Celebrity 8. I love cruising on all three cruise lines. In the end everyone has his/her own preferences. I remain disappointed that the Eclipse which IMHO had the best 14 day southern Caribbean itinerary (8 ports in 14 days with no return to Miami)has dropped Bonaire. Anyone who has snorkeled with Woodwind knows what a treasure the marine park there is!!! I do not want to start a discussion of which cruise line is best! Just keep an open mind! Bring back Bonaire! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
luv4cruises Posted September 22, 2015 Author #24 Share Posted September 22, 2015 (edited) Duplicate Edited September 22, 2015 by luv4cruises Duplicate Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
swigso Posted September 22, 2015 #25 Share Posted September 22, 2015 The Feb 19th 2017 sailing on the Eclipse has Bonaire as a stop with an overnight in Aruba Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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